D.J. White’s leaving town, bound for the NBA

I almost had to put an “OT” before the title of this blog because I feel like it is off topic.

We (Terry Hutchens of the Indy Star, Chris Engel of the Indiana Daily Student and the guy writing this) sat down to chat with D.J. White today (remember that guy?). We’d arranged this interview a while back, hoping to spend a relatively carefree afternoon finding out what D.J. thought about his future and how he planned to prepare for the NBA.

I think we were all a bit distracted because of the events of the day, but the conversation was good anyway. White could only smile and shake his head — as he has done so many time this year — when asked to reflect on his career at Indiana. Ultimately, he said, it was a learning experience.

White has signed with an agent, who is sending him to Phoenix to train with a former Phoenix Suns trainer. So on Saturday, the same day White will graduate with a general studies degree and minors in criminal justice and African American studies, he will pack his things up and get ready to leave his home for the last four years.

In late May he will attend the pre-draft camp in Orlando. He has already set up visitsÂ with individual teams (though he could not say with which teams) for the weeks following the camp and leading up to the June 26th draft in New York City.

He said he has been told he could be drafted anywhere from the mid-first round to the early second-round.

God bless you DJ! Thank you for blessing us fans with you courage, humility and toughness. Other IU BB heros were surrounded by other really good players. You did as much or more with less support. Best of luck going forward.

It is unlikely that any player at IU has had to go through more than you during your time as a player. Through the injuries and coaches, you always played with the heart of a champion. Coach Dakich was correct when he referred to you as a legend. You will always be remembered as one of the greats here at IU. I wish you the best in the NBA and can’t wait to keep rooting for you for many years to come!